Over 1,300 exhibitors will be supporting IBC2011, each bringing perhaps one, two or three new or enhanced products. My task is to distill these down to the 20 devices likely to be of greatest interest to TV-Bay readers, so far as that is possible several weeks before the show opens. As a recent convert to OS X, I note with gloom that Apple remains a non-exhibitor either at NAB or IBC. Maybe another conveniently timed FCP SuperMeet...
CONTENT CAPTURE
Arri’s Alexa M is a modular version of the established Alexa HD camera. Camera head and body are connected by optical fibre which can also carry a power cable. Images, audio and metadata can be recorded on SxS cards or output to external storage. Alexa M is compatible with all existing 35 millimetre lenses plus a wide range of ARRI accessories.
Comrex' LiveShot delivers live video over IP networks. It uses the H.264/MPEG-4 AVC High profile and is claimed to be capable of encoding and decoding an audio/video stream with less than 200 milliseconds latency. LiveShot delivers full-duplex video and stereo audio between its portable and studio-installed systems. A full-duplex cue link is also available between these systems. On the portable, the return audio/video channel is delivered via output connectors or wi-fi streamed to a mobile device.
For-A's VFC-7000 is a CMOS camera capable of 50 to 700 frames per second (1280 x 720 pixels) recording. Recording time is up to 9.8 seconds at 700 frame/s on a standard internal memory, expandable to four-times capacity. BB and tri-level sync genlock capability is included.
Ikegami's HiMotion2 Super Slow-Mo HD camera has a three-CMOS sensor head and built-in memory, capable of capturing movement at greater than 10x speed. A dual format 1080i/720p camera, it supplies parallel live and replay output.
I-Movix' SprintCam Vvs HD is an ultra slow-motion system for live HD broadcast production. It operates at up to 5,800 frames per second 720p (up to 2,700 frame/s in 1080i) and provides instant replay at native HD resolution with a dual output for a live and replay feed. New features include a dual output that allows a camera operator to shoot and record at the same time, segmented memory, dual output of live action and replay sequences, and integration of live plus replay view on the viewfinder. Two cameras can be synchronised for ultra-slow-motion 3D capture.
JVC's GY-HMZ1U 3D HD camcorder has dual 3.32 megapixel CMOS sensors and delivers 34 megabits per second 1920 x 1080 AVCHD recording in 3D or 24 Mbit/s in 2D. Features include image stabilisation, twin F1.2 HD lenses with 5x optical zoom in 3D and 10x optical zoom in 2D. Recording is to SDHC or SDXC media cards or 80 gigabyte internal memory.
Panasonic's AG-3DP1 is a 3D twin-lens P2 HD shoulder-mount camcorder with 10 bit 4:2:2 independent-frame 1920 x 1080 resolution AVC-Intra recording. Convergence point is adjustable. Functions for automatically correcting horizontal and vertical displacement are provided.
Sony's HXR-NX3D1 is a lightweight all-in-one 3D camcorder with 10x (34.4 to 344 mm) optical zoom lenses, dual quarter-inch 1920 x 1080 pixel CMOS sensors and 96 gigabyte internal memory. The HXR-NX3D1 has a multi-card card slot allowing direct capture or file transfer to Memory Sticks and SD cards. The camcorder has two parallel lenses mounted 31 mm apart. Disparity adjustment can be performed to change the readout areas of the left and right CMOS sensors so that they are closer together or further apart.
PRODUCTION
AJA's Ki Pro Mini is a miniature field recorder capturing to Apple ProRes 422 QuickTime files on Compact Flash memory. An optional mounting plate allows connecting to a camera accessory bracket. (pictured here with the optional mini stand)
Sonnet Technology will display its new Fusion D800TBR5 deskstop storage system. This is an Intel-Thunderbolt-compatible 8-drive RAID 5 desktop storage system supporting RAID 0, 1, 5 and JBOD. It is available in 8, 12, 16, or 24 terabyte versions and can handle one stream of uncompressed 10-bit 1080 4:4:4 HD or multiple streams of ProRes 422, uncompressed 8-bit 1080 HD, DV, HDV, and DVCPRO video.
DiGiCo's SD10B broadcast audio mixer includes 96 channels with full processing, 12 of which can be configured as mono or stereo, with full processing available in either mode. 48 assignable buses offer multiple configurations and a complete 5.1 monitoring matrix with 48 x 6 source to speaker selection.
POSTPRODUCTION
Latest version of Blackmagic Design's DaVinci colour correction tool, DaVinci Resolve 8 includes multilayer timeline support with editing, and XML import and export with Apple Final Cut Pro 7 and Adobe Premiere Pro. OpenCL processing allows use on Apple iMac and MacBook Pro. New processing tools have been added for real-time noise reduction, curve grading, multipoint stabilisation and automatic stereoscopic 3D image alignment.
Quantel's QTube allows media assets to be securely accessed via an internet connection. It is based on three components: QTube Browser (a Microsoft Silverlight-based viewer, enabling the user to search the Quantel Enterprise sQ system and find, view and edit metadata on content remotely), QTube Edit (an internet-enabled version of the standard Enterprise sQ desktop editor), and QTube Transformer (providing the interface between the sQ system and the QTube clients). QTube is also compatible with Microsoft Smooth Streaming and Apple Live Streaming.
INFRASTRUCTURE
Axon has expanded the capabilities of its SynView multiviewer by adding 3D display capabilities. Two multiview inputs can be locked to each other and displayed side-by-side or, on suitable displays, as a 3D image. Tallies, borders and UMD information are all 3D processed.
Harris' Selenio combines baseband video and audio processing, video and audio compression and IP networking technology into a single modular platform. MPEG-2 and H.264 compression standards are supported from SD and HD to 3 Gb/s and mobile.
Mosart Medialab version 3.0 newscast automation system allows users to assemble combinations of production elements into a collection of on-display buttons with touch-screen operation. Elements can include events such as a clip, lower thirds and other graphics.
RTS Intercom Systems' VLink (Virtual Linked Intercom) enables remote users to interface with RTS matrix intercoms via the internet using a simple PC-based application. The basic RTS VLink-LE version comprises a standalone software/server-based intercom providing limited interconnect functionality into any existing audio feed.
MONITORING
Dolby's PRM-4200 reference monitor provides 12-bit colour rendition without dithering. Supporting 3D lookup tables,it can be calibrated to match digital screening environments and to emulate the response of film-print stocks during digital intermediate colour correction. The monitor includes a remote controller which can be rackmounted or used on the desktop.
Sony has expanded its line of OLED Trimaster EL picture monitors with the 25-inch PVM-2541 and 17-inch PVM-1741, designed to replace CRT displays for content evaluation. Both models provide 1920 x 1080 HD resolution with 10-bit signal processing. Features include 3G HD-SDI inputs, serial and parallel remote control, timecode display, embedded audio display, internal waveform monitor and auto white balance.
Phabrix Rx is a 2U 19 rack mounting modular signal analyser with dual two 4.3 inch colour TFT displays capable of generating and displaying a range of test patterns and logging information. Control is via the eight buttons under each display plus on-screen GUI. The Rx offers auto bi-level, tri-level and SDI genlock with cross lock capability. 16 channels of embedded audio are supported.
POSTSCRIPT
IBC will offer a great opportunity to preview the future of television: far higher resolution cameras than are needed for today's 1920 x 1080 pixel displays. Currently of interest primarily to film-makers, 4K, 8K and onward up to UHDTV will undoubtedly be adopted sooner or later by onair and/or online programme publishers. Most of the mainstream camera manufacturers have 4K and/or 8K products that are worth looking at in addition to the ongoing developments in 3D. How super-large screens will be delivered to consumers is another matter. Perhaps in halves strapped to the sides of a glazier's truck.